Interview: Arizona 2017 3-Star OL Corey Stephens Showcased Talents at Nike LA Regional

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Seems that every state has one or two teams that is always in the mix come the end of the high school football season. In Arizona, Saguaro High School is that squad. When the 2015 season ended the Sabercats were once again champs working through a 12-2 campaign culminating with a 38-20 title win over Marcos de Niza.

Saguaro had at least four guys go Division-I with two-way star Byron Murphy heading to Washington, quarterback Kare` Lyles heading to Wisconsin, offensive guard Michael Weinstein to San Diego State, and wide receiver Julian Carter to Boise State. On paper, the 2017 class is just as talented with tight end Jared Poplawski ranked a 4-star, defensive back K.J. Jarrell a 4-star, linebacker Brandt Casey a 3-star, and overlooked running back Stone Matthews (2,155 yards, 24 TDs). Another 2017 talent set to return upfront with hopes of helping Saguaro secure a fourth consecutive state title is Corey Stephens.

Stephens, listed at 6’2”, 290 pounds, already has offers from Louisville, Columbia, and Memphis and just attended Arizona State’s Junior Day on Saturday. Other schools showing interest includes Boston College, Cornell, Michigan State, Duke, and the other in-state power, Arizona.

Stephens showed a lot of grit and determination traveling from Arizona to Los Angeles to participate in the Nike Opening regional. The motivation and willingness to travel outside of a comfort zone to show he can play with the best of the best in any region is extremely admirable and is telling of his character.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I got a couple of minutes with Stephens before the camp one-on-ones started to get the inside track on his offseason schedule, his unofficial to Arizona State, and received a recruiting news update.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Corey Stephens at the Nike Opening regional in Los Angeles.